When I look at the Leafs roster, I can’t say it's full of bad players, but it is full of a bunch of mediocre players. There is no one on this team that is going to stand out and be able to carry this team.
First of all look, at the defense. I don’t even know how many players they have competing for a spot on the blue line, but the worst part is its not even because they’re all good defensemen, it’s because they all deserve a spot on the third line, but can’t really be put in the AHL, either, simply because they are slightly too good for it.
Now we turn to the forward lines. The Leafs have, let's count...zero first line guys. The only top liner they could’ve had for this year would’ve been Mats Sundin, but now he’s over in Sweden somewhere about to do an interview with some guy from “Sportsnet,” and it’s all about why he’s taken so long with his decision and if he's moved any closer to a decision.
All the Sundin drama would be much better if we just forgot about it, but that is extremely hard to do, considering that about six or seven different teams are trying move players around on the slight chance he returns to the NHL and wants it to be with their team.
Anyway, back to the Leafs (sorry about the Sundin detour), I think all these guys the Leafs have are amazing. This is only true when they are accompanied by a more skilled player, though; when it’s just them out for a walk together, who do they have to set them up, or for them set up? All these gritty players mean nothing without a solid top-two forward lines to disperse them through.
Taking this back to my opening statement, “to be the best, you have to beat the best.” The Leafs have no one that will beat the best. So, as you know, they are not the best, and will not be the best for quite a while.
In closing, all the Leafs fans (myself included) will have to wait another five years or so before we have any hope at winning by “being the best.”
18 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Tim Coughlin 9 months ago
As a Bruins fan, I think you're being a little too negative since Kaberle is legit, Toskala and Blake are solid, and Tlusty, Stralman, etc. show promise. Still, on the whole, you're right that the team is pretty mediocre and it will take awhile to regain realistic cup hopes.
The same probably goes for the Bruins, though, but they showed some heart last year so we'll see.
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Mark Rosal 9 months ago
I understand your point of view Tyler, but from my perspective, this a lot more about - as Ron Wilson put it "learning how to win" . I don't have the stats, but I know that the Leafs lost a ton of 1 goal games last year. I also believe they lost a lot of games in the 3rd period. And according to your analysis they had more talent on the team last year than this year. I believe Wilson is a coach who( at least during the regular season) understands how to motivate a team to win. I think he will transmit this attitude to the young Leafs and you will be surprised at what will happen. I am not predicting a Stanley Cup, I am predicting competitive hockey from a team that has more talent than I think most people believe. But the bottom line will be working as a team, and everyone pulling together for the win. That is something that has been sorely lacking in the Leafs for a number of years- even under Quinn. Sure we won our share of games but how many nights was it Cujo or Belfor who stood on their head to get the win. Should be an interesting year!
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mike peardon 9 months ago
keep your head up, phillydid it rather quickly and FINALLY the leafs are going to do it the only way you can;the draft
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Ron Van Lew 9 months ago
Wow you are pretty harsh on the Leafs. 5 more years? I really do not think they are as bad as you think they are. A few roster moves here and there and some quality chemistry would go a long way for this team.
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Derek Harmsworth 9 months ago
Yeah, I don't agree with this assessment either Tyler, sorry.
I wouldn't say there is nothing to cheer about. The Leafs have played well in every game, but unfortunately haven't found a way to lock it down and get the win. That's just something the young guys will have to learn. All part of the growing pains.
And as for nothing to cheer about, isn't it encouraging to you to see guys like Justin Pogge and Luke Schenn playing regularly in the NHL and not looking out of place at all. Sure it was only pre season, but when Schenn connected on the goal, I cheered for that.
As for the five year rebuild, maybe, but more likely they can do it quicker than that. After this season, the Maple Leafs will have only $38 million committed to payroll. They will likely re-sign Antropov for like $3-4 million, then maybe bring back Bell for around $1. Moore can be re-signed rather cheap, and then the rest of the spots can go to kids.
That means the Leafs will have $43 million or so committed, and the cap will likely be around $60 million, if it follows the trend of the past few seasons.
Now, I am not saying the Maple Leafs should be huge buyers, because we have seen in the past that doesn't win you the cup, but still, they will have the money and flexibility to go out after some of the guys who could really help this team going forward.
Combine that with the potential draft picks they are going to have in the next few years, and I wouldn't say there is nothing to cheer about.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
If the Leafs can hang on to their 3rd period leads then maybe this will be a good year for them, but other than that the season looks bleak.
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Alan Bass 9 months ago
You're right Tyler, I agree with you for the most part. Except, I do think that they are a bad team. They are an unproven team. Derek, I don't think there is much to cheer about this year, other than the possibility of John Tavares or Victor Hedman. But otherwise, they have nothing to cheer about this year, and won't for another two or three years minimum.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
Thank you, Alan! lol
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Spencer Callaghan 9 months ago
Congrats to Tyler on being one of the first Leafs fans I have ever known to actually tell it like it is.
However, I somewhat disagree about the long term Leaf prospects, in today's NHL you can turn it around a lot quicker.
IF MLSE is actually serious about putting together a winner this time (and that's a big IF), then I think the Leafs can probably turn it around in about 3 seasons.
Of course my confidence in MLSE (and the teacher's union) to actually handle the turn-around effectively is pretty low.
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Spencer Callaghan 9 months ago
Oh and a word of advice to Leafs fans: don't let the Brian Burke talk go unchallenged, he very overrated and personally I think the Leafs, with their virtually unlimited resources when it comes to front office staff, could do much better.
The T.O. media tends to have a mind of its own and are clearly pushing for Burke, Leaf fans need to make sure their voices are equally heard so as to prevent the Burke coronation.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
I don't like burke he's is (as you said) very overrated
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Derek Harmsworth 9 months ago
Tyler, you are looking at the little picture, not the big one. Sure there won't be much to cheer about on the scoreboard, or in the standings. But there will be little things to cheer about. Things that are important for a team to rebuild.
Say, if Jiri Tlusty can actually play top six minutes, and tally decent point totals, that would be worth cheering. If Stralman can have a solid plus minus, and add some Powerplay goals, that would be something to cheer about.
In the grand scheme of things, this season is all about the growth of the kids, and if we see the kids grow throughout the year, I would say that is something to cheer about. It's like Ron Wilson said, the only way the team can rebuild is by giving the young guys important roles. He isn't going to hide them when the game gets tough.
Yeah, it's going to be a long year, but unlike last year, we are actually going to suck for a purpose. It's going to take time for the young guys to grow into their roles. They will make mistakes. They will lose games, but lets hope they learn from them, and they will be better off in the long run.
It never ceases to amaze me. Leafs fans like Tyler scream for a rebuild, then when it happens they just piss and moan about it.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
I know there will be little things to cheer about, but you have it backwards, Im looking at the big picture and your looking at all the little kindergaden finger paintings.
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Derek Harmsworth 9 months ago
haha...without the kindergarten finger paintings there is no big picture. Rome wasn't built in a day dude.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
wtf, Ok if you say so, but how do we know rome wasn't built in a day? Lol
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Derek Harmsworth 9 months ago
Because it would be virtually impossible...wow..I can't believe I am wasting my time with you..
A writer who can't take criticism, good luck Tyler.
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Tyler Hill 9 months ago
Dude, did you not realize that it was a joke.
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Captain Fanatic 9 months ago
Great article Tyler, would you be interested in writing for TOsports.ca, The Magazine starts publishing in a couple of weeks and we do have Oshawa distribution locations.
Let me know...thecaptain@tosports.ca
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